“Look here, I don’t play for the Phoenix Suns,” Garnett said Friday during the interview session on All-Star Weekend’s first day. “I could care less what Spike or whoever else has to say about me. As long as Doc Rivers and my organization is happy with what I’m doing, I could care less.”

“I’m far from dirty. ‘Dirty’ is like ‘hate’ – don’t use that word,” Garnett said. “I’m competitive and I play hard. But don’t call me ‘dirty.’ Just like, if you dislike me, dislike me but ‘hate’ is a very strong word.”

Garnett, a future Hall of Famer and a player praised by his various coaches for his intensity, didn’t sound in any hurry to change his approach, though he did acknowledge softening it for “friendly” events such as the All-Star Game.

He was responding to a question asking what he thought about Alvin Gentry saying that he had lost respect for him. He's indicating that he doesn't care what a coach from another team thinks about him; he cares what Doc Rivers and the Celtics Organization thinks about him.

He can say all he wants about what type of player he is but the proof is in the pudding. Look at his play on the court and infer from that what type of respect he has for the game and his fellow players.

He was responding to a question asking what he thought about Alvin Gentry saying that he had lost respect for him. He's indicating that he doesn't care what a coach from another team thinks about him; he cares what Doc Rivers and the Celtics Organization thinks about him.

He can say all he wants about what type of player he is but the proof is in the pudding. Look at his play on the court and infer from that what type of respect he has for the game and his fellow players.